Tottenham scored a consolation goal but consolation was otherwise absent for Roberto De Zerbi at Anfield. Spurs’ miserable start to the season continued as they were soundly beaten by a much-changed Liverpool side and a quality of finishing that De Zerbi can only dream of.

Alexis Mac Allister, for the second midweek running, Cody Gakpo and the substitute Dominik Szoboszlai each produced an outstanding finish – especially Szoboszlai – as Liverpool advanced into round four. Spurs had moments but fleeting moments are not enough.

There was no surprise in Andoni Iraola ringing the changes following Saturday’s drab draw with Fulham, especially after he admitted that his team lacked freshness after the Champions League defeat of Atlético Madrid, although 10 raised a few eyebrows. Ronald Araújo was the only player to keep his place in the starting lineup in a new central defensive partnership alongside Joe Gomez, who made his first start of the season. De Zerbi made eight changes from Spurs’ stalemate against Everton with Andy Robertson among those dropping to the bench on his return to Anfield.

It was new faces but the same old story as far as Spurs were concerned. For the second game in succession De Zerbi’s side started at a furious pace against Merseyside opposition, controlling the tempo, dominating possession, and failing to capitalise when in the ascendancy. A lack of ideas in the final third and poor finishing when they did break through the Liverpool defence showed Spurs’ issues are not confined to the Premier League.

Lucas Bergvall was presented with the first opportunity of the night when Destiny Udogie’s low cross from the byline deflected into his path in front of Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal. The midfielder connected cleanly but the Liverpool goalkeeper, diving to his left, made an important stop with his leg. Mamardashvili’s save was no doubt impressive but Bergvall should have given him no chance with the entire goal to aim for.

Mohammed Kudus squandered another excellent chance after Bergvall led a four v two counterattack from a Liverpool set piece. Udogie again broke free down the left to find a teammate with an inviting delivery but Kudus, having reached the ball ahead of Milos Kerkez, volleyed over from only four yards out. Mathys Tel should also have done better than to let Marcos Senesi’s chipped pass run away from him when unmarked inside the Liverpool area.

Regret was inevitable for the visitors. Liverpool responded to Conor Gallagher’s movement and Kudus’s running after 15 minutes to gradually turn proceedings their way.

Lewis Koumas led the line for the home side with an aggression and industry that Iraola wants to see from all of his forwards, regardless of their price tag. The 20-year-old came close to opening the scoring when released behind Senesi by Rio Ngumoha’s piercing ball. Spurs’ keeper Martin Dubravka did just enough to smother Koumas’s first-time effort. The forward, midfielder James McConnell and Trey Nyoni all contributed impressively to the Liverpool performance.

Dubravka was beaten convincingly when Mac Allister produced an unstoppable long-range finish for the second midweek in succession at Anfield. A flowing Liverpool move started with Gomez’s long ball to Gakpo, who switched play from the left to Ngumoha on the right. Udogie’s attempt to intercept the winger’s run succeeded only in putting the ball on a plate for Mac Allister as he arrived unmarked on the edge of the area. Opening his body, the midfielder went for power and placement and swept a shot into Dubravka’s top left-hand corner.

Mac Allister’s opener arrived between Spurs’ two missed chances from Bergvall and Kudus. Another fine Liverpool move and emphatic finish punished the visitors a second time nine minutes after the restart. McConnell and Ngumoha were heavily involved before Kerkez picked out Mac Allister in space, prompting groans from the Kop over the full-back’s refusal to shoot. They were quickly silenced as the Argentina international’s first-time pass found Gakpo, who stepped inside a nonexistent challenge from Archie Gray and beat Dubravka with an angled drive.

All hope appeared to have been lost for Spurs, not that their finishing offered much in the first place, but the stoic backing of their admirable away support indicated otherwise. The visitors continued to create promising situations outside the Liverpool area and continued to leave Mamardashvili untroubled. But they were handed a lifeline when the keeper and Jeremie Frimpong failed to deal with a corner from Spurs’ substitute Mateus Fernandes. Mamardashvili missed his attempt to punch clear the midfielder’s delivery and Gallagher, left alone at the back post by Frimpong, had the simple task of heading in from close range.

Mamardashvili atoned in superb style to deny Omar Marmoush an equaliser when the forward’s shot took a slight deflection off Araújo. At the other end Tosin Adarabioyo escaped twice, first with a wayward pass that led to a gilt-edged chance for Szoboszlai, saved by Dubravka, and then when Alexander Isak’s cross struck his arm. There was no video assistant referee in operation to correct the decision. But Spurs would not escape a third time. In stoppage time, Szoboszlai let Gakpo’s flick roll off his chest before thumping a fabulous shot past Dubravka from 25 yards. De Zerbi’s misery goes on.